Frequency and intensity are two settings on PEMF equipment. Both describe the magnetic field the equipment produces, and each is set on its own. This post explains what each word means and how a low intensity setting differs from a high one.
Frequency is how often the field pulses
PEMF equipment has copper coils inside it. When an electric current passes through a copper coil, it generates an electromagnetic field. That is basic physics.
Switch the current on and off and the field pulses. Frequency is the number of pulses each second. It is measured in hertz, written Hz, and one hertz is one pulse each second. A higher frequency setting means more pulses each second, and a lower one means fewer.
Intensity is how strong the field is
Intensity is the strength of the field the equipment puts out. It is measured in units such as gauss or tesla. A higher intensity setting means a stronger field, and a lower one means a weaker field.
Frequency and intensity are separate settings. One sets how often the field pulses and the other sets how strong it is.
Low and high intensity are two ends of the equipment’s range
As an equipment setting, low intensity is a weaker field and high intensity is a stronger one. Each unit has its own range, and the maker’s instructions for that unit give the settings it offers.
I am openly biased toward low intensity. Starting at the lowest setting and going up slowly is, to me, common sense, and it is the way I err on the side of caution.
Who the equipment is not for
PEMF equipment is not for people with epilepsy, during pregnancy, or for people with certain implants, such as pacemakers or insulin pumps. If you are unsure whether this applies to you, ask your doctor before you use it.
This information is for general wellness education only and does not constitute medical advice or guarantee specific results.